Astoria Police Think 40-Bomb Threat a Hoax

Police in Astoria say a man’s telephoned threat to detonate 40 bombs in the community at the mouth of the Columbia River is likely a hoax.

Authorities say the man called 911 several times around mid-day Monday to say the bombs had been planted and would detonate at 6:30 p.m. Monday. That deadline passed without any explosions.

Astoria 911 communications manager Jeff Rusckieck tells The Oregonian that the caller told dispatchers he was a terrorist from Pakistan. Rusckieck said the man had a Middle Eastern accent.

In a statement, Police Chief Peter Curzon said, “While Astoria Police Department believes this is probably a hoax, the public should immediately report any suspicious circumstances or items to 911.”

The Daily Astorian reports that one bomb site mentioned was the Astoria-Warrenton Regional Airport. Warrenton police checked and found nothing. Other identified locations were checked as well.

The FBI and several police agencies are investigating.